How does the 1968 act protect people?

Asked by: Jadyn Leannon  |  Last update: February 13, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (37 votes)

The 1968 Act, specifically the Fair Housing Act (FHA), protects people by making it illegal to discriminate in housing matters (selling, renting, financing, etc.) based on race, color, religion, or national origin, with later amendments adding sex, disability, and familial status, ensuring fair housing access for everyone and preventing housing providers from steering people to certain areas or giving false information, thereby promoting equal access and opportunity in housing.

What is the main purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1968?

The main purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, was to prohibit discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, and sex, ensuring equal housing opportunities for all Americans and addressing the segregation prevalent in housing markets. Passed in the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, it was a crucial expansion of civil rights protections, also making it a federal crime to intimidate or harm civil rights workers. 

Who does the 1968 Federal Fair housing Act protect?

The seven federally protected classes under the Fair Housing Act are race, religion, national origin, color, familial status (the presence of children under the age of 18 in a household), sex, and disability.

What main protection did the Civil Rights Act of 1968 focus on?

The Civil Rights Act of 1968 is a significant piece of legislation in the United States that aimed to combat discrimination in housing. Following earlier civil rights laws, this act was championed by prominent leaders, including Martin Luther King, Jr., and President Lyndon B.

How did the Fair housing Act of 1968 impact society?

The Fair Housing Act passed in the wake of Martin Luther King's assassination in an effort to address, at least symbolically, the anger of African Americans who were rioting in the nation's ghettos. For the first time in American history legislation banned racial discrimination in the sale or rental of housing.

Explaining The Fair Housing Act Of 1968

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How could the Fair housing Act of 1968 impact the education of people?

First, the fair housing rule could empower states and localities to use federal housing dollars in a way that helps ameliorate educational inequality for a broader base of minority students by countering the funding disadvantages plaguing the schools in their very own neighborhoods.

Has the Fair housing Act been effective?

The Fair Housing Act has the potential to be one of the most powerful laws in the country, but its effectiveness has been stymied by entrenched policies and practices that perpetuate discrimination and segregation; ineffective enforcement by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of ...

Who is not protected under the Fair housing Act?

While the Fair Housing Act protects against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin, it doesn't cover everyone, with notable exemptions for certain owner-occupied homes, single-family houses sold without a broker, religious organizations, and private clubs; also, age and source of income aren't federally protected, though state/local laws might add these, and people using illegal drugs aren't protected in housing. 

What was the main purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 Quizlet?

The Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, prohibited discrimination based on color, religion, gender, national origin, family status, or handicap, from discrimination in the sale, renting, and financing of housing.

What groups did the Act protect?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is labor law legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

What did the Fair housing Act of 1968 specifically make illegal?

A year later, the U.S. Supreme Court strengthened this ruling stating that Proposition 14 violated the 14th Amendment and the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which “prohibits all racial discrimination in the sale or rental of property.” Before the battle over fair housing in California heated for another round, the U.S. ...

What were the effects of the Fair housing Act?

The Impact and Legacy

When signed into law, the Fair Housing Act prohibited discrimination in approximately 80% of all housing offered for rent or sale in the United States. President Johnson himself considered signing such civil rights legislation among the proudest moments of his presidency.

What practice did the Fair housing Act of 1968 attempt to eliminate?

The Fair Housing Act, as passed in 1968, prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.

What was the outcome of the National housing Act of 1968?

On this date, less than a week after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the House of Representatives passed the Fair Housing Act of 1968—also known as the Civil Rights Act of 1968—which prohibited discrimination in the sale or rental of housing nationwide.

What was the main goal of the Civil Rights Act?

This act, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964, prohibited discrimination in public places, provided for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal. It was the most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction.

What president signed the Fair housing Act?

On April 11, 1968, the Civil Rights Act of 1968, known as the 1968 Fair Housing Act, was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson after it passed through Congress the day prior.

Why is the Civil Rights Act of 1968 important?

The 1968 act expanded on previous acts and prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, and since 1974, sex.

What is the Civil Rights Act of 1968 better known as?

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, was passed to address discrimination in the housing market.

What is the Civil Rights Act of 1986?

This act introduced civil and criminal penalties to employers who knowingly hired undocumented immigrants or individuals unauthorized to work in the U.S. However, the act also offered legalization, which led to lawful permanent residence (LPR) and prospective naturalization to undocumented migrants, who entered the ...

What are the 11 protected classes?

The protected classes include: age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or any other bases under the law.

How many people can live in a 2 bedroom apartment in California?

Additionally, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) uses what is known as the “two plus one” formula, which permits two (2) people to occupy each bedroom, with one (1) additional person in the living spaces (i.e., five (5) people may reside in a two bedroom unit).

Can you sue a landlord for harassment?

Can I sue my landlord if I am being harassed? Yes, a tenant has a private right of action and may file a civil case against the landlord. For legal referrals, visit: housing.lacity.gov or calbar.ca.gov.

What was banned by the Fair housing Act of 1968?

The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate against someone because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin or disability at any stage of the mortgage process, including: Approvals and denials. Terms, e.g. interest rates, points, fees and other costs.

Who is not protected by the Fair housing Act?

The Fair Housing Act affords no protections to individuals with or without disabilities who present a direct threat to the persons or property of others.

Why didn't the Fair housing Act work?

The F.H.A. refused to guarantee black buyers' mortgages. Public housing—which depended on federal funds—was explicitly segregated by race. The F.H.A. supported the use of racially restrictive covenants, which barred the sale of private homes to buyers of color.